AL Central Could Become ‘Four-Team Race’ With Dunn Resurgence

(WSCR) The Chicago White Sox will have a little more time off before they resume play on Friday against the Detroit Tigers. It’ll be a series that will hopefully showcase a different Adam Dunn than was seen in the first half, because they need it to.

“I really think Adam Dunn is the linchpin to their second half,” former MLB general manager Steve Phillips said on the Danny Mac Show. “I mean, you can make a trade to add to your offense, but if Adam Dunn still doesn’t get it done, then I don’t seem them being players there.”

Dunn’s struggles since being signed by the White Sox in the offseason have been well chronicled. Through the first 92 games of the season, he has a .160 batting average with nine home runs and 34 RBI. But despite that, the White Sox find themselves just five games behind the Detroit Tigers.

“I tell you what, I still believe in the back of the baseball card and that somehow Adam Dunn will figure it out,” Phillips said. “And, you know, I know that saying is something you hear a lot of baseball people say: That good players tend to start playing well again. And I don’t think this is the beginning of the end of his career.

“So I think the White Sox are going to get back into the race. I think it’s going to turn into a four-team race in the Central.”

The White Sox and Twins were favorites to win the division before the season started, but poor play put both teams into early holes. Luckily for Chicago and Minnesota, the Tigers and Indians weren’t able to capitalize, leaving the door open for the White Sox and Twins to make a run.

“I think this whole thing is going to start to just bunch up,” Phillips said. “And I think 88 wins might end up being the number that wins the American League Central.”